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Benefits from Food Diary Records

In 11 Benefits of a Food Diary we looked at general features and different approaches. Now I explain how food diaries are used to help manage various diseases.

Note that this is an overview of several studies. Because I want to show the variety of uses in many situations. But if you choose to keep a food diary for your own health conditions you will need to do more research. In conjunction with your doctor or other health professionals.

Benefits from Food Diary Records

Cancer Food Journals

Breast Cancer

Each breast cancer survivor got:

Practical exercise on calorie definition and estimating portion sizes including education on completing food diaries.[…] The diaries were assessed and analyzed for total servings across a range of food groups (grains and grain products, milk and dairy products, chicken, red meats and its products, eggs, fish and seafood, fruit, vegetables, nuts or seeds, legumes and beans, sweets, baking and chocolate, sugar, honey, olive oil, other fats and oils, coffee, alcohol, sweet drinks, and tea). [1]

Stomach Cancer

Each patient was asked to keep a food diary on 3 non-consecutive days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day). Food intake was initially assessed by recording all foods and beverages ingested by the patient. Each participant was also asked to precisely enumerate the intake of foods and non-alcoholic beverages during the same 3 days, including the usual serving size of each listed food. The precise methods of food preparation, including all ingredients, were also recorded. The participants could not specify the details of food type and serving sizes for some generic foods; in these cases, the dietitian requested the exact food type. [2]

Diary analysis revealed some stomach cancer survivors had poor shopping and cooking knowledge. Allowing nurses to encourage family members to support patients.

Diabetes Food Journals

Blood Glucose

People at risk of diabetes but not diagnosed were asked to:

practice recording food type and portion amounts in a weekly food diary developed by the researcher. Examples of appropriate meal plans for type 2 diabetes prevention were also provided.[3]

One group of people had additional guidance based on self assessing the question: ‘have you controlled the type and portions of food intake by eating lean meat, vegetables, high-fiber fruits low-carbohydrate and low-sugar diets?’ Data from the food diary allowed researchers to compare behavior changes between groups.

Insulin Regulation

Diabetic patients

recorded exchange unit by food group (grain, fish, vegetable, fat, milk, and fruit groups) in each breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 3-day food diary at weeks 12 and 24[4].

Here the food diary was one part of an app measuring blood glucose levels and stride activity as well as food intake.

Carb Counting

A specialized tool for type 1 diabetics to derive insulin dose based on carb consumption and individual insulin sensitivity[5].

IBS Food Journals

Low FODMAP Diet

Food diary was completed for 3 days (one weekend day and two usual days) during the screening period and during the last week of intervention[6].

Kidney Disease Food Journals

Fish Consumption

“Fish consumption was identified in a 24-hour dietary recall and a 3-day food diary collected at baseline (near treatment start) and a 3-day food diary collected 1 year later[8].” Note that diet planning for kidney disease patients is tricky. So you should consult a qualified renal dietitian.

Low Protein

“Protein intake was evaluated by food diary and 24 h-food recall[9].” Note: “The potential benefits and dangers of dietary protein restriction in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are still controversial.” So the renal dietitian warning still applies.

Low Bone Mass Food Journals

Bone Health Indicators

“food intake diary by 24 hours recall[10].” In this study researchers had to rely on 24-hour recall. But this is open to error. So you should maintain your journal throughout each day.

Obesity Food Journals

Healthy Lifestyle

dietary habits were collected using a 7-d food diary. …Participants reported reductions in total and commercial food caloric intakes, with higher protein and lower fat consumption[11]

Note, my list is not exhaustive. So if you suspect a food diary might help with other diseases please let me know. Then I will investigate and extend this list.

Eleven Food Journal Records Benefits – which apply to you?

Your Benefits from Food Diary Records

You can see that food diaries help with several diseases. If you are considering using a food diary to combat a specific disease:

Learn the benefits of different food diary approaches. Particularly the symptom recording features.

Kutner, Nancy G et al. “Association of fish intake and survival in a cohort of incident dialysis patients.” American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation vol. 39,5 (2002): 1018-24. doi:10.1053/ajkd.2002.32775

Health Disclaimer: The purpose of Foodary is to help you understand how food affects health.

Information is provided by a layman (Keith Taylor), with no medical training or qualifications. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease.The information is given to help you understand your doctor's advice and know what questions to ask. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have an actual or suspected health problem, you should consult your doctor.